One of the most famous quotes of all time in the sports media world is “I am just here so I do not get fined”. This statement was repeated by Marshawn Lynch in an interview, also known as Beast Mode. Lynch, former Seattle Seahawks running back, was the first athlete in recent memory to expose the NFL rules and regulations that certain players have to speak with the media. So, this obviously poses the question: Should professional athletes be forced to speak with the press? Let’s discuss.
There are definitely some heavy opinions on this topic. Some people believe that it is a part of your job and that the few media interviews that these athletes provide to the public is a small nuisance that simply a part of their job. Others believe that if the athletes do not want to talk with the media, they should not be forced to. Especially athletes who might have just come off of an important game with emotions running high, their preferences should be respected and listened to.
Marshawn Lynch Interview
Opinion 1: Every job has a part of its responsibilities that are unenjoyable. Whether your passion is fighting crime, but you hate having to write the official reports or your passion is being a teacher, but you hate grading the exams, no job is perfect. The fact that athletes get to pursue their passion at the professional level and get paid millions of dollars for it, they should not be complaining about the fact that they are sometimes required to speak to the media. In fact, their press coverage actually provides the NBA with more revenue, ultimately going back into their paychecks. This should not be an issue for professional athletes.
Athlete annoyed by Media
Opinion 2: Freedom of speech has been what this country has been based on since its foundation. Clearly stated in the first amendment, every person has the right to free speech, and that also included not speaking when they do not want to. Why is this suddenly an exception when it comes to the media? I think Marshawn Lynch’s response to this issue is totally fair, and his opinion should have been respected rather than joked about. If someone does not want to do something, such as talk to the media, they do not have to. End of story.
First Amendment
I know the two perspectives I offered are extreme opposites and I am sure your opinion on the issue contains a certain amount of each perspective. What do you guys think of the topic? Where do your opinions lie? Do you think that athletes should have to talk with the media, or should their preferences be respected? Curious to hear your opinions below.
Thank you for reading. Signing off, Woz.
I go back and forth with this topic. There are times when I feel interviews should be required like after intense playoff games, but players shouldn’t have to worry about the media after every single game. Reporters can sometimes be ignorant or ask really silly questions, and I can understand why a player would want to avoid speaking with the press. Great topic!
You were spot on bro. Freedom of Speech trumps literally the entire argument of players being required to speak to the media. Like literally the entire argument ends there. If an innocent human being doesnt want to talk about something, then they shouldnt have to do. This should be the end of discussion. But even beyond that. This whole “Its apart of the job” stuff is nonsense. Players get drafted, players get signed, players get traded, players get cut, players get paid, literally all because of how well they can perform at their specific sport. Thats it. No one’s like “Oh this guy’s an excellent speaker, he’s really gonna be an asset for our postgame media interviews. I think we’ll draft him this round.” No one’s like “Man your answers for your media interviews are getting kinda dry. We might have to cut you if this keeps up.” Addressing the media isnt apart of the job at all. Players are there because they can play a sport really well, to play that sport really well. That’s it. If LeBron was bad at basketball, but could give really good interviews, or could give the media something to talk about, he wouldnt still be on the team. Whether it brings in the league more attention or revenue, or not, the players arent there to give interviews. They’re there to play the sport theyre really good at playing. So they shouldnt be obligated to do anything outside what they were actually given a contract to do. Play their sport
I’m under the notion that we’re in America where we have rights other people in other countries don’t. To make someone speak to anyone regardless of what it is even if it hurts them or makes there feelings run high is fucked up. If they don’t want to speak to the press and choose not too is no ones business period. It should be a choice for these star athletes that make it to the biggest game in there respective fields to not talk if they don’t want
Sure it’s part of the job. The paying public, especially those that pay the hight cost of tickets tro events, is watching, and the public wants to hear the players speak about the games. If that’s beneath you, if you feel that it’s just a little too ordinary for oyur tatse, get out of the game. The great athletes in each sport don’t seem to have had a problen with it. They know peopole are looking up to them, and they’re giving back, as they ought to do with the huge salaries they command.
The First Amendment has absolutely no application here. The government is the entity covered by the First Amendment, not the NFL, not ESPN, not any entity that isn’t the government. The First Amendment only says that Congress cannot abridge your free speech and even then there are exceptions. That said, I do not believe that athletes should be forced to speak to the media if they don’t want to. There are enough athletes who would willing speak to compensate for those who do not want to. Athletes don’t owe me anything outside of their performance on the field. That’s what my ticket money goes to.